Page 44 of Love in Development

I needed to stop thinking about it.My brain was fried like a green tomato, and my stomach grumbled.I flagged down my assigned college representative.

“Hey, I’m finally ready to go to the dormitory.”The two four-hour sleep cycles I’d allowed myself during the jam were wearing off.

The guy nodded to me and began a long spiel about the campus that felt rehearsed.I took some time to listen to the bushes shaking in the breeze and the bugs buzzing.Despite the walk, drowsiness settled in.I climbed into bed, clothes and all, for a quick nap before Mom, Lin, and Charisse showed up for the awards ceremony.At least they had all said they were coming.

I awoke to repeated knocking on my door.

“Yes.”My response was mumbled, but the person outside didn’t seem to care as the group just waltzed right in like invading barbarians.

“We’re here.Lin and I came with your mom so we can all sit together and celebrate after.I’m sure you did great, even if you don’t place.It’s so exciting getting to come and check out the college beforehand.Getting a sneak peek.And I’d never heard of game jams before this.It will be so interesting to see...”

I climbed out of bed and set off to the bathroom to put myself into some semblance of order before the ceremony.

The lecture room we met in at the beginning of the jam was exactly the same.This time I found a spot with four seats, and we all slid in.I was grateful for the support.A familiar smile caught my eye.What was Ni doing here?I hadn’t seen his name on the participant list.He must be here for someone.

This time the slideshow played clips from the games.The good news was that I saw one from mine, so it worked, but some of the impressive bits I saw sent my hopes sinking.As each one showed, my clasped hands tightened.I had thought that what I’d done was good, but there were a few that were amazing.

They always liked to drag things out at these types of events, so they started with the group competition—an event that offered nothing but empty recognition.Next came third place in the solo competition.The crowd applauded as the winner made their way onto the stage to claim a certificate and a photo op with the department head.

My body became a weight holding me in my chair.I hadn’t even made third place.I hadn’t fixed the bug properly.

I’d been hoping so much for scholarship money that would allow me to come here, and the last few days had been like a beautiful, impossible dream.Working with their top-tier equipment and being taken care of by the staff was everything I’d ever wanted.

Mom and Charisse were clapping and cheering along with everyone else, but Lin watched me from the corner of her eye.I could feel her pity.Third place guy was climbing back into his seat in the audience, and they announced second place.I gritted my teeth and clapped along with everyone else while a stone dropped in my stomach.

I laughed inside at the silly part of me that had thought I could even place third in my first game jam.It didn’t matter how much I’d practiced and how much I knew.I was just an amateur compared to these seasoned competitors.I should have taken the opportunity to learn more by participating in the group event.But I’d been too tempted by the scholarship money.

Mom grabbed my arm and squeezed it.I just wanted to slink away and meet IK under our willow tree.This was worse than losing the PvP tournament to him.My dreams were dashed, and I couldn’t face the very people who were there to support me.

I looked at Lin.Mom and Charisse were focused on the stage again.I opened my mouth to excuse myself to the bathroom.Her dark eyes screamed sympathy as she nodded her understanding at me.

I jumped up and squeezed past a few strangers.I had made it only a few steps down the aisle before a hand grabbed my arm.I spun defensively.

Then a shiver ran through me as I realized who held me back from my escape.Ni faced me and, with a wink, tilted his head toward the stage.My head swirled, but my body was frozen as if I’d been hit by an ice spell.

Finally, the words pierced the fog in my brain.

“Molly Jones?”the announcer called out over the microphone.

I turned to see several faces staring at me expectantly as the roar of applause came into focus.

“Sweetheart Rescuetakes first place and, with a full-ride scholarship to our game development program, the staff welcomes Molly Jones to join us in the fall!”

I ignored the single tear rolling down my cheek and hesitantly started the opposite way down the aisle, feeling Ni’s hand fall from my wrist, leaving a warm imprint there.I left him behind to face my new future.

The flashes blinded me.The smile on my face was melting.When the audience finally dispersed, I practically leaped off the stage.I threaded my way through the lines of people, feeling lost—in more ways than one—when a Charisse truck slammed into me.She clung and babbled like an overexcited miniature puppy.

“Lin.”

She looked up at me.Her face was difficult to decode at the best of times, and the darkened room made it even harder to detect cues.She had a lollipop in her cheek, just like the first time I met her.“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I’ve been so stressed.I didn’t think I’d be able to afford to join you guys, and I was afraid to tell you.”

Lin reached out with one arm for an awkward side hug, keeping the lollipop away.“Silly.”

I gave her a half-hug back.